Review of The Elephant Man (1980) by Anis T — 08 Dec 2008

A hard film to watch but an easy one to admire (and one that's all too easily dismissed by Lynch fans). This is the story of John (Joseph) Merrick, a man born with monstrous deformities, who nonetheless rises up through horrific squalor and abuse to become the toast of Victorian high society.

Everything about this film works, from Lynch's assured, atmospheric direction (which thankfully keeps his usual dream-weirdy bollocks to an effective minimum) to the stupendous cast. John Hurt stars as Merrick and emotes under layers of disfiguring make-up, and Anthony Hopkins gives his absolute best screen performance as the noble doctor who saves him.

Both are ably supported by a veritable army of British thesps, including Sir John Gielgud, Lynch regular Freddie Jones, Michael Elphick, Anne Bancroft, Lesley Dunlop...the list goes on! (British viewers can also look forward to spotting "Birds of a Feather" actress Pauline Quirke, playing an East End whore, and "Press Gang/Lock, Stock" star Dexter Fletcher, playing a Victorian urchin) Special mentions must also go to composer John Morris, whose brilliant score veers from twinkling Victorian music box to full-on carnival bombast, and cinematographer Freddie Francis, whose haunting black and white photography successfully captures Victorian London in all its grime and glamour.

It might not be entirely historically accurate (apparently, for a time Merrick made quite a lucrative living from his freakshow appearances), but who cares when the drama's this good? Watch it, you won't regret it- this is as powerful as cinema gets.